Make Your Choice

Joshua’s account of the mercies of God to Israel is directed to a people who are enjoying the full measure of God’s goodness, the blessings toward which all His mercies have pointed—a peaceful, prosperous life in a land flowing with milk and honey. It would be the height of ingratitude—indeed, it would be a heinous crime—for a people so blessed to turn away from the God to whom they owe so much. And yet, it appears that Joshua is detecting signs that they are doing just that. Thus, he speaks to Israel the words of God, calling the people to a wholehearted commitment to Him. He is calling Israel back to commitment to the requirements of God’s covenant.

In light of God’s goodness, Joshua says, the Israelites must do three things. First, they should fear God. The power that brought Israel so far and into such blessedness is not to be trifled with; Israel should treat Him with reverence, awe, and deference. Second, they should “ ‘serve Him in sincerity and in truth.’ ” It is not enough for them merely to go through outward expressions of worship and devotion, for the God of Israel searches the hearts of His people. They are to serve Him on the basis of love, not simple duty. Third, they need to take definite action to put away all the false gods their ancestors served, either those of Egypt or those Abraham worshiped in Ur of the Chaldeans. “It would seem … that there were some among them that privately kept in their closets the images or pictures of these dunghill-deities, which came to their hands from their ancestors,” Matthew Henry writes. Joshua urges them to get rid of all such false gods and “ ‘Serve the LORD!’ ” No other god has done for Israel what God has done, so no other god should have a claim on its affections.

But Joshua wishes no half-hearted response. He wants the people to be true to their beliefs. If serving God is distasteful, they should pick the gods they want to serve and devote themselves to them. “Joshua fairly puts the matter to their choice.… He proposes the candidates that stand for the election. The Lord, Jehovah, on one side, and on the other side either the gods of their ancestors … or the gods of their neighbors,” Henry writes. In Joshua’s mind, “the case is so clear that it determines itself,” he adds. Thus, though all Israel might turn away after false gods, Joshua and his family will keep God’s covenant.